Doralynn Mui – Riverdale

By starrymag | January 29, 2020

By: Jenny Vintzileos

 

 

Q) We have gotten the chance to meet your character Joan Berkeley as part of what I consider the “Anti-Core Four.” What can you tease about your character for the back half of Season 4? 

A) Ha! Anti-Core Four, I love that. Hmm, what can I say without spoiling anything? I think you’ll see us take things a little too far with Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and his friends. You might also see some cracks in our perfect little clique.

Q) When you landed the role, how did you prepare to get yourself into the character and mindset of Joan? 

A) I like to empathize with any character I play. So, with Joan, I tried to think about how I would behave if I grew up in that kind of privileged world. Getting to tap into that smug part of myself is so much fun – Joan is honestly just the “me” that comes out when I’m winning a board game.

Q) Why do you feel that Joan joins in with trying to mess with Jughead and his friends?  

A) I think in Joan’s world it’s totally normal for her to “play” with people. Plus, she has such a dysfunctional relationship with her Stonie circle. They just sort of egg each other on in the most toxic way. I do think that, secretly, Joan wishes she could be the top dog. So, part of it is also about trying to prove herself.

Q) In what ways can you relate to your character and in what ways are you completely different? 

A) Joan seems to have so much blind confidence – something I don’t have (but maybe wish that did!). Her mean streak is also something I’d like to say I don’t have in common with her, at all. Vibe-wise, she is very, very put together – but I’m more about throwing on outfits that are as close to pajamas as I can get away with.

What we have in common? Like I said before, I can be a bit of a Smug Doralynn at times, especially when I’m playing Mafia or a board game. Also, I do really like to get into intellectual debates. We also have the same nose.

Q) What has been one of your favorite scenes to shoot on Riverdale so far? 

A) Definitely Season 4 Ep. 10, “Quiz Show!” The set was this brightly lit, retro game show stage. I felt like I was in Disneyland. We were all just in a hyper mood that day. I can’t wait for everyone to see that episode!

Q) What kind of response have you gotten from the Riverdale fandom have you received to Joan?

A) The fanbase has been so awesome and welcoming – most people understand that my character and I aren’t the same person! But I did get an Insta comment that said, “You’re beautiful, if people hate you it’s because they can’t tell the difference between a character and an actor,” and I was like, “Wait, some people hate me?!” I was so proud to have my first haters. I felt like I’d achieved the next level in my career.

Q) What would you consider the best thing about getting to work on such a big-name show like Riverdale? 

A) Walking around the studio and seeing all the different sets has been mind-blowing. I can’t believe that I get to be a part of this universe!

 

Not going to lie, not having to explain to my family where they can watch my work also feels kind of amazing.

Q) You have been working on quite a few projects lately, including a short film called All-In Madonna that is slated to premiere in Canada at the Vancouver Short Film Festival on January 26th. What can you share about these up and coming projects?  

A) All-In Madonna was such a unique experience. We shot it on Piers Island, which you need to take a private boat to get to and we got around the island by driving golf carts. I’m so happy the film has come together and is making its way around the festival circuit.

 

I also finished an NBCU pilot called “One of Us Is Lying” based on a novel series by Karen M. McManus. I’m hoping it gets picked up! I also have some roles in upcoming features: Spontaneous, based on the novel by Aaron Starmer about high school seniors that begin to spontaneously explode, Four Walls, about human connections and intersecting stories and 2 Hearts, based on the real-life story of organ donor Chris Graham and the lives he touched. So, there’s my plug for upcoming projects, keep your eyes peeled!

Q) When you were in college, your film program gave you the opportunity to not only act, but also write, direct, and work as a crew member. How has having that background of working behind the camera helped you with working in front of the camera? 

A) I think it helped me realize that I really just wanted to focus on acting! (Just kidding, kind of!). I have SO much respect for all the roles behind the camera. I remember directing and producing my projects were some of the most stressful times of my life. The good thing is that getting to experience so many different roles has helped me gain different perspectives, which has helped me better interpret what a director is looking for in a shot or even be aware of the level of performance needed for different frames.

Q) Since you had the writing and directing experience, have you given any thought to eventually taking on those sorts of projects in your career? 

A) I’ve been scared to do it, but eventually I want to sit down and write something for myself! I’ve never acted in my own project before – I was always hesitant about that idea before, but now I’m starting to see that it might be one of the best ways to tell the stories that I’m most connected with.